STEADY AS SHE GOES FOR JOE ROCKET HONDA AT BARBAGALLO

1954-1956 Hume Hwy Campbellfield VIC 3061
Ph: 03 9270 1183 Fax: 03 9270 1126
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
26 May 2005
STEADY AS SHE GOES FOR JOE ROCKET HONDA AT BARBAGALLO
Its been one month since the last Championship meeting
of Australia’s top road racers, each of whom are vying for
this country’s Superbike and Supersport titles, and nothing
has slowed down at the Honda factory camp in the
interim.
Honda’s two road race teams, Joe Rocket and Rocket
Racing, have been busily preparing for the next two
intensive rounds to be held back to back, firstly at the
Barbagallo circuit near Perth this weekend followed by
Mallala, South Australia the next.
After having won seven of the nine races in which he has
competed so far this season, 22 year old Josh Brookes goes to WA as series leader in both the 600cc and
1000cc class.
It is an amazing comeback for the young talent from Bringelly, NSW who has shown relatively little
nervousness in regard to returning to WA where his now notorious mid season ending crash took place last
year.
When asked about his feelings toward riding at the infamous circuit that stopped him in his stride, Josh said
he is “looking forward to getting over there and just putting it well and truly behind me.”
“I’m fully fit and very happy with myself and both my bikes, so I have every intention of pulling in some good
results for the Team this weekend.”
Brookes will no doubt be getting around at a pace near or equal to his team mate Adam ‘Krusty’
Fergusson’s current Barbagallo Superbike lap record of 56.123sec.
Last year, Fergusson won the WA round in both classes, helping him to cement what would eventually
become a 2004 Dual Championship for the 30 year old father of three.
Whilst he has continued to put in consistent rides in the ’05 series to date, and currently sits in the second
place Supersport position behind Brookes, Adam has not been 100% happy with his overall results.
1954-1956 Hume Hwy Campbellfield VIC 3061
Ph: 03 9270 1183 Fax: 03 9270 1126
To combat any potential issues prior to the western state round, Krusty and his crew –
including right hand man Luke Spence – spent a day testing on the CBR600RR at
Winton last week.
“We’ve put in some additional time working on set up for the 600 so I should be in a
much better position to pull some quick times together this weekend.”
As the two experienced men, Josh and Adam will also need to keep their eye on junior
disciple Jason O’Halloran (Rocket Racing) who is proving to be one of the hottest
competitors on the track. After two rounds, Jason claimed the number four spot on the
ladder, just three points shy of the podium position.
This weekend, the 17 year old who hails from Wollongong way will also have the added bonus of a new
mechanic. Ben Turner has agreed to spanner for the prodigy for the remainder of the season and will
certainly add an inestimable level of expertise.
Ben has a number of years of experience in the industry including his stint with the Honda Australia factory
team back in 2000, as well as time spent on the Grand Prix circuit.
“We are really pleased to have Ben on board,” Team Manager Paul Free
said. “Jason is continuing to show he has what it takes to win races so
the additional technical backing will certainly be a fantastic addition.”
Whilst his team mate continues to fly the flag, Judd Greedy will be sitting
out at least the next two rounds as he slowly recovers from a fractured
vertebrae copped at pre season testing back in March. If all goes to plan,
Judd should be back racing by the fifth round at Winton in August.
For series information, please visit: www.aus-superbikes.com.au
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Contact: Lisa Evans, Motorcycle Racing & Public Relations Coordinator, Mb: 0413 542 004, email: levans@hondampe.com.au